On the suggestion of some of my clients and now dear friends, I have compiled a few Before and After photos to give you an idea of what I get up to in my crazy days. Some of you unsuspecting homeowners, never truly understood the whirlwind we create; starting once you say "Ok" and I say, "Hand 'em over!
And with key in hand comes the excitement and the rush of yet another transformation. All the houses on this site are homes of those, now friends, who have endured my TEAM INVASION, but I know they all would say "It was well worth it"; particularly on day of sale. The value to me comes on many levels. Of course the priority is to sell high and as quickly as possible. But I also have created a network of people who will refer me which I am so very grateful for. And so should you! They are the ones who have saved you from another untimely cold call or door knock. See, so because of my great referral base, I don't spend time on your doorstep selling myself, I spend time in your home making the magic for selling your house.
I absolutely love what I do and as I go through these photos I remember some of the great laughs had by all, very often at my expense I must admit. Because of the time I spend "in your place/face"; I really get to know my clients and they learn quite a bit about me. The projects vary significantly, from the simple staging to some pretty major reno's. But no matter which, on day of LIST I am as excited as a proud mother at the debutante ball watching in anticipation of how my latest transformation will be received. I hope you enjoy!
THIS home tried to sell in a moving market and no offers. So my clients bravely allowed us to pull and give this home a facelift which mainly focused on the dated kitchen. We replaced the original white kitchen cupboards with a beautiful set we found from the RESTORES; manipulated and installed to give a wall to wall custom look, sourced second hand stainless steel appliances, installed granite and a backsplash with undermount lighting plus OPENED UP THE WALL and installed a granite top island. ALL FOR UNDER $10K, including labor. What kitchen reno have you seen that looks like this for under $10K. The listing was turned around and relaunched in about 3 weeks and sold WELL above thier original list price.
This was a complete kitchen rip out/refit. Removing bulkheads and opening walls. We installed an 8ft granite island and joined it with another kitchen purchased from the RESTORE. Also purchased the herringbone backsplash that is counter to ceiling at the hoodrange wall and some pendant lights on Kijiji. Cabinets, island, coutnertop including new gas stove, dishwasher, sink and faucet, pots and lights cost less then $7K. That is an unheard of price and the transformation? Well I think it paid back in spades.
This kitchen wasn't much to talk about initially so we did a simple, effective and inexpensive kitchen facelift. Playing off the stainless steel handles on these dated cupboards, we installed a peel stainless steel backsplash and hood range, new goose neck faucet, granite like countertop WITHOUT the lip and did an extension for creating a breakfast bar. New click vinyl floor tile and a few other minor adjustments made this place to talk about during the Open House and for all the right reasons.
This kitchen was in major need of an upgrade; from the tired floor to the outdated cupboards, countertop and appliances a buyer would have knocked off Tens of Thousands. So yes the window wall is gone but look what has replaced it! RESTORE (Habitat for Humanity) BARGAIN. Custom oak stained wall to wall cabinetry including Wallmount Oven, Euro hood range, Bosch dishwasher, Blanco double sink and goose neck faucet and new countertop. We also replaced the flooring and opened out the doorway to the dining room. The kitchen renovation cost $5,500 but increased this house value by $35K.
PAINT PAINT & MORE PAINT. Nothing happened in this house until the most every room,, kitchen cupboards, stair spindles, fireplace and trim were given a good coat of paint! We also all agreed that the dark blue carpet on the stairs and landing had to go. We switched out the kitchen doorknobs and installed a kitchen and family room chandelier and cleaned out he kitchen floor grout. These simple transformations gave a new richness to the dated home. From there we backed in the 26ft truck and loaded her up with an eclectic blend of modern and rustic decor. We were very happy with the results and so were these homeowners on Closing Date.
Master SWEET Conversion. The star DEAL of the show is the double sink vanity which was a quality, dream piece bureau, purchased at the RESTORE for $125. A few simple cutouts, custom granite top and a respray converted it into a custom 81inch vanity for under $2,000. An $800 freestanding tub takes centre stage perched under the window and sitting on 24x24 beautiful grey and brown marble tile along with a glass walk in shower with stainless waterworks. Top it all off with accent pieces, such as the matching mirrors and wall sconces also found from the RESTORE; and you have a luxury bathroom suite! The gem of the bedroom is this beautiful brass bed frame found on Kijiji $400! And this wicker set was resprayed in BM Black Fox Grey and reupholstered in a seashell print transforming this dull cluttered bedroom lounge into a welcome retreat. Top it all off with some sweet accent pieces, some personal pictures reframed, new light fixtures and a lick of BM Oyster Gray Paint on the walls and this 4 room conversion went from blah-zeh to wa-hey.
This was a dated bathroom with the vanity walled off from the rest of the bathroom so it actually sat in the bedroom? And not enough room between the gargantuan corner tub, dark closed in corner shower stall and toilet to swing a cat. Certainly not something a purchaser is going to swoon over.
Ssssooooo for sure we removed the wall at the toilet and put the doorway before the vanity rather then after turning a divided bathroom into a large L shape; more conducive to a master bathroom. Some great finds at the RESTORE like 24x24 marble tiles, free standing tub and chandelier, along with some modern fixtures has turned this dysfunctional, uninspiring bathroom into a spa like retreat. We worked on the remainder of the house as well but sadly no before pics to show. I will say though that I scored a chandelier for their open to above entryway at the RESTORE for $125 which retailed at $3,500. Love it!.
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THIS TRANSFORMATION WAS A LABOR OF LOVE. Again the RESTORE is where I sourced the kitchen cabinets, light fixtures, wood trim, window treatments and appliances. That along with some money saving ideas and my, open minded, handymen are the main ingredients to a successful project. Knowing the potential of a space is key and not being afraid to make a bit of a mess is another. The vision converted this dated country home into a showstopper.
AFTER To start we sprayed the kitchen cupboards and installed a jet black granite countertop. Scored at the RESTORE with mosaic tiles and goose neck faucet which added that additional bit of bling. Switched out the tall backed chairs to leather, below counter stools found at the RESTORE, and this kitchen was now up to par with its upscale neighbours. Of course I love working with my clients to help declutter and stage, getting rid of the "nursery" look to a 'grown up' room. My clients loved the inexpensive facelift particularly when they got competing offers which blew our list price away. Cha ching!
Half an hour to paint the fireplace changed the age perception of this room. Then reducing the sofa to a love seat and taking away the busy collage and TV, gave this small family room space to breathe.
Alot of stripping going on here! Wallpaper is back but not this three way combination. BM China Doll paint, a new light fixture and modern table setting reclaimed this toy storage to a inviting place to dine.
Where to begin? This dated farmhouse was desperate for change. A granite island countertop found at the RESTORE started the transformation. Then we painted the island and wood trim in charcoal and a fresh white coat on the cupboards with black sprayed handles and hinges. Then we installed a stainless steel backsplash, (RESTORE light fixtures, wicker window treatments and stainless steel appliance from the RESTORE) and now we have a kitchen setting Joanna Gaines would be proud of.